Timeform UK SmartPlays: Sunday October 28

The opening race at Aintree provides us with our first SmartPlay as we hope that Vendor can get us off to a winning start. Despite flattening the last flight and losing momentum, Vendor got off the mark on his British debut at Newbury, looking like a decent prospect in the process. He was well backed in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham and, despite finding a couple too good, finished a very creditable third, doing little harm to his reputation. He quickly got back to winning ways, albeit in an uncompetitive affair at Towcester, and he enters this campaign as a horse with real potential.

We head to Wincanton for our second SmartPlay, and it is the Charlie Longsdon-trained Rey Nacarado (13:55) who we turn to. He didn't finish last season in the best of form but he had looked progressive earlier in the season, winning a handicap at Newbury with a bit to spare. Still only a seven-year-old, Rey Nacarado may be capable of better and is by no means as exposed as most of his rivals. We will take the chance that he can bounce back to his best.

Silver Roque (15:25 Aintree) may have gone up 12 lb in the handicap for an emphatic victory last time, but he still looks fairly treated and can register another win here. The combination of a first-time tongue-tie and change of yard seemed to work the trick as Silver Roque bolted up in a handicap chase at Bangor, jumping superbly and having the race in safekeeping a long way out. He is open to further progress and is very much one to keep onside.

Back Vendor @ 2.305/4in the 13:10 at Aintree
Back Rey Nacarado @ 6.25/1 in the 13:55 at Wincanton
Back Silver Roque @ 4.131/10 in the 15:25 at Aintree

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